Modular synthesizer meets Morocco's Gnawa tradition as UK synth guru James Holden teams up with the Maalem Houssam Guinia, son of the late Gnawa legend and previous Holden-collaborator Maalem Mahmoud Guinia, for a trio of live collaborations recorded during the Guinia band's first trip to London back in 2016.
Lead track 'Pass Through The Fire / Bouri Bouri Manandabo' sees the swirling organs of Holden's Gnawa-inspired 'Pass Through The Fire' (highlight of his joyous 2017 album 'The Animal Spirits') supplemented with a selection from the Guinia's traditional call-and-response repertoire, thereby completing the collaborative circle.
Over on the B-side, it is Holden's turn to contribute hazy pads to the affecting, sonorous standard 'Youmala' and frantically cycling arpeggios to the energetic 'Baba Hamouda'.